To
answer your questions about the world's most exciting nutrient,
Life Plus has collected questions from hundreds of people across
the United States and listed the most common ones for your information.
These concise answers will help you understand why Proanthenols,
containing Professor Doctor Jack Masquelier's OPC exclusively,
is the leading, most exciting, health supporting product on the
market today. It is the most potent of all antioxidant nutrients
known to man and is rapidly becoming the "antioxidant of antioxidants."

OPC
is an abbreviation for "Oligomeric ProanthoCyanidins," natural
health supporting compounds found in plants. OPC's are concentrated
in fibrous parts of fruits and vegetables and are often destroyed
by cooking. OPC molecules are made of 2 or 3 individual monomer
units called flavanols linked together. They are colorless but
turn into red pigments when fruits ripen and leaves turn.

WHAT
ARE PYCNOGENOLS?

Pycnogenols
is a term introduced by Prof. Dr. Jack Masquelier in 1979 to describe
a group of natural compounds he wanted to identify separately.
In that flavanols have a tendency to join together, he used "Pycno" from
the Greek meaning to "come together" or "thicken" or "condense." "Gen" means
to generate and "ols" is from flavanols. The very first
registration of Pycnogenol as a trademark was done by Dr. Masquelier
in France.

WHAT
IS OPC?

OPC
is the proprietary trademarked name for Dr. Masquelier's patented
proanthocyanidin plant extract. The complete name is Masquelier's
OPC. It is protected by U.S. Patent No. 4,698,360 as a free radical
scavenging antioxidant. It contains extracts from both Maritime
Pine bark and grape seeds. OPC is the result of 50 years of research
by Dr. Masquelier.

WHAT
ARE PROANTHENOLS?

Proanthenols is the proprietary trademark of Life Plus for their high quality
products that exclusively contain Masquelier's OPC extract from
both Maritime Pine bark and grape seeds. The tablets are manufactured
under strict controlled procedures to ensure the highest OPC activity
possible. All Proanthenols products carry the Masquelier's OPC
trademark and its U.S. Patent Number.

WHO
IS DR. MASQUELIER?

Professor
Emeritus, Doctor Jack Masquelier at the University of Bordeaux,
France is the world's leading authority on OPC's. Beginning to
research them in 1947, he has spent his whole lifetime studying,
researching, refining and applying OPC's. He was the holder of
many patents and trademarks around the world and is truly a world
class scientist, highly respected by the scientific community.

ARE
OPC'S BIOAVAILABLE?

Dr.
Masquelier's research has proven the bioavailability of OPC's is
maximal. He has shown that proanthocyanidins in his OPC are 100%
bioavailable from the digestive tract and travel through the bloodstream
to every part of the body, especially those rich in collagen.

HOW
ARE PROANTHENOLS AND YOUR "XTRA ANTIOXIDANTS" FORMULA
DIFFERENT?

Proanthenols
contain a specified amount of pure Masquelier's OPC super antioxidant.
It is the most potent antioxidant known to man and actually helps
other antioxidants such Vitamins A, C & E and Glutathione work
better. Actually, OPC's free up other antioxidants and the result
is that all of them perform better as antioxidants and act better
in numerous other functions in the body. Xtra
Antioxidants is a broad based antioxidant supplement
containing Vitamins A, C & E, Beta-Carotene, Selenium, Vanadium,
Glutathione, Herbs and other antioxidant nutrients. The two products
are synergistic.

WHY
SHOULD I TAKE BOTH?

"Xtra
Antioxidants" is a broad spectrum supplement
that provides numerous vitamins, minerals and other nutrients
that are known antioxidants and are also supportive to other
healthy body functions. It is usually taken as a preventive
and immune system supporting product. Proanthenols contain
specific high powered OPC antioxidants that are often used
for specific benefits and actually help numerous other antioxidant
work better. It makes sense to take both.

WHAT
ARE FREE RADICALS AND ANTIOXIDANTS?

Oxygen
is essential for life, but can be very damaging to our cells when
in its super reactive "free radical" form. Free radicals
evolve from faulty metabolism, unhealthy diets, environmental pollution,
tobacco smoke, stress, certain chemicals and drugs, radiation and
other sources. They attack all cells and stimulate aging and the
development of all degenerative diseases. Normally, our cells are
shielded from free radical damage by protective enzymes and antioxidant
nutrients. The antioxidants react with free radicals, protecting
our bodies against disease and degeneration. Scientists call this "free
radical scavenging."

WHERE
DO OPC'S COME FROM?

They
occur widely among the plant kingdom (practically every plant)
and have actually been shown by Dr. Masquelier to be present in
over 500 different varieties. They are most highly concentrated
in the more fibrous pant of plants such as bark, stems, leaves,
seed and skins. The most viable commercial sources today are grape
seeds, an abundantly available by-product of the grape industry
and French Maritime Pine bark, a by product of the lumber industry
in southern France.

ARE
RED OR WHITE GRAPES USED?

OPC's
are found in red and white grapes alike. They are only extracted
from seeds of grapes that are used in the making of white wine.
In the making of red wine, the seeds are fermented with the grapes
for about 14 days. During fermentation, the OPC's pass from the
seeds into the wine. In making white wine, the seeds are removed
from the juice before fermentation begins.

ARE
THEY ORGANICALLY GROWN?

The
volume of organic grapes is far too small to supply the growing
demand for OPC's. However, there is no need for concern about residues
of pesticides. Independent laboratory analysis demonstrates that
Masquelier's OPC extracts from pine and grape seeds are the safest
in the industry.

ARE
JAPANESE AND FRENCH GRAPES DIFFERENT?

Of course,
grapes are not different because of their nationality. Some suppliers
try to confuse consumers by using the term "grape seed" or "grape
skin" extract. These products do not necessarily contain OPC's
and should not be equated to Masquelier's.

WHAT
PERCENTAGES ARE THE PINE AND GRAPE CONTENTS?

Masquelier's
OPC contains proanthocyanidins from both grape seeds and Maritime
Pine Bark. Taking into account economies of scale, seasonal variations
in OPC content of grapes and pine, Masquelier's OPC blend ensures
a consistent and maximum content of proanthocyanidins and their
different precursors. The actual percentages are proprietary, but
the "best of both" is guaranteed as well as the most
efficacious and economic balance.

ARE
ANY HARMFUL SOLVENTS USED?

To extract
OPC's on a large scale, water is used as well as one organic solvent.
During the process. the solvent is removed to a level far below
required limits for health standards. Masquelier's OPC is also
cleared of any by-products of the solvent during the process. Solvent
residues are removed to minute levels of no more than 1 to 5 parts
per million (almost undetectable) that have no health consequences
whatsoever.

WHAT
ARE OPC'S GOOD FOR?

OPC's
are probably the most versatile nutrients ever discovered. They
are the most active free radical scavenging antioxidants known.
They help protect against all degenerative conditions, such as
cancer, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, allergies and aging. OPC's
are known to cross the blood/brain barrier and improve oxygenation
of brain tissue, which may be helpful in preventing attention deficit
syndrome. One of the greatest values of OPC's is their ability
to preserve and protect collagen and its production. Collagen is
an important structural constituent of our blood vessels, skin
and connective tissues including ligaments, tendons and others.
As potent antioxidants, the OPC's in Proanthenols are the most
valuable anti-aging nutrients.

DO
WE OBTAIN OPC'S FROM OUR DIET?

A healthy
diet rich in whole raw fruits and vegetables contains proanthocyanidins.
Unfortunately, most people discard the parts of foods (stems, seeds,
skins, etc.) that contain the most of them. Also, most herbs contain
representative amounts of them. Red wine is actually the richest
food source of OPC's.

SHOULD
I TAKE THEM?

In today's
environment and high stress lifestyles, in which one person in
three develop cancer and over one million die each year of heart
disease, we need antioxidant protection. Life Plus Proanthenols
products, containing Dr. Masquelier's OPC, are the most convenient
way to obtain them. What is important is not necessarily the length
of one's life, but its quality. In this regard, this wonderful
product can make a difference.

WHO
CAN TAKE THEM?

OPC's
are totally safe. We do not know of any reason for anyone of any
age not to take them. They are one of the most prevalent natural
compounds that occur naturally in natural whole foods.

SHOULD
THEY BE TAKEN WITH THEM?

Proanthenols can be taken any time during the day with other supplements, food
or by themselves. We recommend taking them on an empty stomach
to reduce the possibility of foods interfering with absorption.

CAN
PREGNANT WOMEN TAKE THEM?

No contra-indications
are known. The first person that Dr. Masquelier recommended to
take his extract was the pregnant wife of his dean at the university
in Bordeaux. She had severe swelling in her legs and was greatly
helped by them. Both the fetus and mother need antioxidant protection
during pregnancy and OPC's are ideal.

CAN
OPC'S BE TAKEN WITH BLOOD THINNERS?

OPC's
are not blood thinners and do not compete with them. OPC's help
to maintain healthy collagen levels in the blood vessels and as
such support good circulation. As antioxidants, OPC's help provide
good levels of oxygen to the heart and brain, adding greatly to
cardiac health, energy and alertness.

WHAT
ABOUT OTHER MEDICATIONS?

We simply
do not know of any contraindications. However, in case of any doubt,
always consult your physician.

Every
care possible is utilized in the manufacturing of Proanthenols
tablets. Masquelier's OPC is used exclusively. It is manufactured
with the most stringent controls in the world. Low temperature
processing is an important part of the tableting procedure to preserve
biological activity. In addition, we include an incredible array
of phytonutrients in the proprietary Life Plus PhytoZyme™ base.

ARE
THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

Many
ingredients are contained in all natural extracts, and on rare
occasions, allergy may be seen. However, we are not aware of any.

HOW
ARE THEY AVAILABLE?

Proanthenols
are available in the regular strength of 50 mg per tablet, and
Proanthenols HP tablets contain 100 mg.

HOW
MANY SHOULD I TAKE?

Generally,
for regular preventive use, 1 mg of OPC's are taken per pound of
body weight per day. However, more is often taken. The most common
dosage in Europe is 50 or 100 mg, three times per day.

CAN
I TAKE TOO MUCH?

No reactions
or side effects are known that result from taking large quantities.

WHY
DOES THE 100 MILLIGRAM FORMULA LABEL STATE TO TAKE THE SAME NUMBER
OF TABLETS AS REGULAR 50 MG PROANTHENOLS?

The
HP (100 mg) formula is designed for those who want to take larger
amounts in a more convenient, cost effective way.

DIRECTIONS: One tablet twice a day.
More may be taken if desired.
Contains CytoFlav-C™, a secret blend of Bioflavonoids and Vitamin C, in the proprietary PhytoZyme™ base of phytonutrients and plant enzymes.

Life Plus' "Real OPC™" is
a pharmaceutical-grade, 100% bioavailable, residue free grape seed and pine bark
extract that is manufactured and supplied by Berkem Laboratories in France and
developed in cooperation with Dr. Jack Masquelier at the University of Bordeaux.
Protected under US Patent 4,698,360.